Monday, September 21, 2009

The anticipation has been growing for Julian Casablancas' first solo record Phrazes For The Young, and if "11th Dimension" is any indicator, the hype has been well justified. On the track, Casablancas manages to take his classic Strokes vocals and infuse them with a dancey, synthy, retro goodness that manages at the same time to be completely fresh. While it sounds very little like The Strokes, in its approach its not all that different.

Which is to say: Casablancas made a name for himself eight years ago with a record and a band that was highly derivative, yet at the same time managed to transform an industry with its originality, energy, and willingness to make high quality rock and roll. This track has that same energy and vitality. On it's surface there's little that's obvious to surpass any other dance-rock track, but somehow it manages to transcend that and deliver far more. Let's hope the rest of the record is just as tasty.